The First Trimester
By: Nancy Ruiz-Barnes, LCSW
First trimester can be the scariest for most women when they find out about a pregnancy. During this time, they may be happy and fearful. Most women are hoping for pregnancy to go well. Many women can be fearful due to a past loss. Most doctors will inform women to be careful if in the past they have had a loss in pregnancy due to possibility of having another loss. Some women who due experience a miscarriage may not be aware, as some of us are not in tune with our bodies. After someone has had a loss of a child it is difficult to move forward with another pregnancy due to fear of loss. Most women who go on to try again for a pregnancy feel overwhelm in the first trimester, especially if this is when they encounter a loss. Pregnancy can be a very difficult time for many women in the first trimester, due to not knowing the unknown. For women at this time no knowing what will happen can be very anxious during this time. Some women feel optimistic when they do have morning sickness or maybe all-day nausea, experience dizziness, but others do not have any symptoms and question is my baby fine.
Women who have had the experience of loss or miscarriage during this time have the greatest fear of loss happening again. I often worked with women who have these fears and provide suggestions that can possibly help during this time. For example, we try to work on the positive of being pregnant and work on challenging negative thoughts. The positive thoughts we talk about is being pregnant and the happiness it brings, building support with partner or spouse and family. I also remind them that unfortunately we do not have control of what the outcome may be, but we take it a day at a time.
Unfortunately, some women will have a second miscarriage or loss this is when I encourage women to talk to their doctors about this and see what alternatives or treatment can be offer in order to have better results in the future. Some women have a difficult time with moving on with a pregnancy, and unsure what the future can bring, but this is the time to utilize therapy as a resource to better manage their anxiety during this time.
Written by: NANCY RUIZ-BARNES, MSW, LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER 79552